Carver Owners Forum

Following hurricane Matthew I was finally able to assess the storm damage on my 405 and found that hurricane Matthew left town with my portside polycarbonate panels and aluminum corner piece on the Aft sundeck. While appreciative of the low damage level I would like to replace the missing panels and the corner piece is needed to hold everything together. Any ideas where a mariner can locate carver parts not available any longer by carver? Any help appreciated.
Pictures depict the part I need for the port side.

You'll most likely have to find a repair place to make u new panels. I've seen some older Carver Aft Cabins here in NY that had canvas panels replaced with the hard panels like that and they look like they were original. I don't think they had the corner pieces on them, but they had rap around corners. You may have to have the entire panel replaced if you want them to match. I'm surprised Carver couldn't tell you what vendor made them original panels, but maybe a repair shop can, keep looking. Mike

mjk1040 wrote:Source of the post....I'm surprised Carver couldn't tell you what vendor made them original panels....

I agree. They should be able to give you a part number and the manufacturer info for that corner piece. A good plastics supplier/fabricator can cut the plastic panels you need. It's best to supply them with the good one you have so they can duplicate one exactly the same in a mirror image if needed. I've have this done a few times. If you can't get an aluminum corner, ask the plastics people about fabricating one out of plastic, it'll likely be cheaper than having one custom aluminum one made.

You'll also need the nylon drive rivets and spacers. Carver should be able to help you there too. In fact, they may still carry these items. If they don't, the plastics supplier should be able to help with the spacers and there are several suppliers for the rivets. A Carver dealer should have some as this is a pretty common repair. I get mine from Fastenal up here but I'm sure there are many suppliers south of the boarder. You'll just need to confirm size and colour. The panels are pure white so you'll need to ensure the anchors are too as there are off-white ones out there. Insert the rivet and tap the head down to secure it. While you're at it, check the ones you still have, you may find some loose or broken and needing replacement, pretty typical. Here's what you're looking for....
http://www.plasticsplusltd.com/sheet-stock/fibreglass-frp-panels/frp-rivet

Thank ya'll,
You have been very helpful. My check with Carver on the panels and corner met with negative results. This was Carvers response "These parts were made by a different company and we have no info on them anymore. They threw out the dies and jigs to make these".

As for the nylon drive rivets and spacers, a prior owner had replaced various rivets with Stainless bolts on the starboard side. They were what held during the hurricane. All panels lost were primarily held with rivets. I lost spacers and have inquired with Carver. Thanks for the link Viper as another option. I am looking at McMaster-Carr for 4x8 sheets of UV polycarbonate to cut my own panel from a stencil I will use from the starboard side. I think I am going to fashion a transom door at the steps of the sundeck with 3/4 PVC panels I will cap with extra polycarbonate material from the repair I have to do. Thanks again.

Update - Still tying to find panels for the sundeck. Working with a local shop to make the sundeck panels but the problem now is they can only get 8' panels for stock material and the original panel length was longer. A second check with Carver (Pat) provided a different answer they now provided previous manufacturers of the part (See below). I have sent emails out waiting for a reply if they are still available. If that fails I have to get creative as I want to stay close to original especially since I had the corners re-manufactured.

We purchased this from multiple vendors. I will list them all.

PART- 8540500 PLX:1/4" WHITE 51X100"

-------------------VENDOR----------------------------------
PART NO. NAME PHONE
PLX:1/4" WHITE (48"X MIDLAND PLASTICS 800-678-0870

1010 CUSTM WHT CADILLAC PLASTIC & CHEMIC 800-274-1000

ACS10121903355 TOTAL PLASTICS INT'L 269-344-0009

Update - My sundeck panels have been made and are ready to be installed after the holiday. I gave up on the poly panels and went with custom marine grade aluminum panels (Cost less), and powder coated them to match the boats existing shade of white. I replaced the original single stripe at the base of the panels as it was dated and boring. Instead I decided to spice her up a bit with a custom wave design using black and gold-leaf graphics. I also tinted the salon and galley windows with 5% tint with 100% UV protection for full side and forward viewing without having a snap down cover across the front windows. Attached are photo's of the new sun deck panels with graphics that were applied to the panels today. When I get them installed on the boat, I will post additional photographs of my project.

Looks great.

Thanks Rick.

Looks good....nice touch with the graphics........

Thanks bud37.